Sequencing is used when your class has read a story. It uses a chart to help review the story by determining the main events of the story and putting the events in order. As an example, we will use the story, “The Tortoise and the Hare.” The hare bragged that he was the fastest animal around. The tortoise challenged him to a race. The hare laughed, but he accepted. When the race began, the hare quickly sped out of sight. Then, being sure he would win, he took a nap. The Tortoise slowly plotted along. When the hare woke up, he saw the tortoise crossing the finish line ahead of him. So, we see that “Slow and steady wins the race.”

Now, let us see how sequencing can be used to review this story. Let’s begin: start by drawing a large poster size chart with three boxes and label the boxes beginning, middle, and end. Write the story title at the top. Ask the students what happened in the beginning of the story and write their answer in the box labeled, “Beginning.” The hare makes fun of a tortoise for being slow. The tortoise challenges the hare to a race. Then ask the students what happened in the middle of the story and write their answer in the middle box. The hare thinks he’ll win, so he takes a nap. Slow tortoise passes the hare. The hare wakes up, then he’s behind. Finally, ask the students what happened at the end of the story and write their answer in the last box. The hare loses the race and he stops bragging. Slow and steady wins the race.

There are a few variations to this strategy that can be helpful, especially with very young students. The first variation is to start with a simpler two-box chart that just focuses on the beginning and end. These concepts are easier for young children to think about at first. Later, you can introduce the idea of the middle and use the full chart. The second variation is that the chart can be made into a fun graphic a common image is to use a train but feel free to use your imagination and have fun. Let’s review: sequencing helps you review a story that the students have read. It uses a chart to determine the main events of a story and put the events in order. Enjoy using sequencing with your students.

A Venn Diagram uses overlapping circles to show how things are alike and different. Venn Diagrams help students summarize information, compare things, and build comprehension.

• Step 1: Choose topics
• Step 2: Ask students to list traits
• Step 3: Draw overlapping circles
• Step 4: Explain the parts of the diagram
• Step 5: Ask students to find traits that are different
• Step 6: Ask students to find traits that are alike

KWL uses a chart to show what students already know about a lesson topic, what they want to know, and what they learned. KWL is used in all three parts of a lesson: the introduction, the new information, and the review. Let’s begin.

The first step is to draw a chart with three columns. At the top of the left column, we’d write the word “Know” with a big capital K. That is the K in KWL. Above the middle column, we write, “Want to know.” That’s the W. And above the right column, we write “Learned.” That stands for the L. At the top of the chart, we write the lesson topic, then we ask the students what they know about the topic and we list those things in the left column. They’re green, they can jump, they live in water. If the students say something that is incorrect, it is okay to put that on the list. It should be corrected later as the information is introduced or learned. Next, we ask the students what they want to know, and we make a list in the middle column. Are there other colors? How far can frogs jump? Where else do they live? If your students have trouble coming up with ideas, you can guide them and make suggestions. The third column is done at the end of the lesson. We ask the students what they have learned, and they make a list in the right column. They can also be brown, gray, red, yellow, and striped. Frogs can jump more than 20 times their body length. Most live near water, but not in it. If any items listed in the Know column were incorrect, we can fix them as the students learn the corrected information.

A KWL chart can be used in all three parts of the lesson: the introduction, the new information, and the review. Doing the first two columns can be a good introduction for a lesson. It helps create a common starting point for all students. It gets them thinking about the topic and it builds their interest and enthusiasm. The second column can be used in the new information part of your lesson. While teaching, you refer back to this column to see what students want to learn. The third column is a good review for the lesson. It helps the students see what they learned so they can have a sense of accomplishment. It also makes them aware of the learning process. Students can see what they know now that they didn’t know at the start of the lesson. This helps students remember the information. Now that you know how it works, have fun and be creative. Let’s review: KWL uses a chart to show what students already know about the lesson topic, what they want to know, and what they learn. KWL is used in all three parts of the lesson: the introduction, the new information, and the review. Have fun using KWL in your lessons.